Coefficient of Thermal Expansion of Concrete

This article will discuss a new analytical model for mechanistic-empirical design of pavement structures that promises to provide designers with a powerful tool for optimizing pavement design to meet the desired service lives for concrete pavements. The article shows how the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of pavement concrete has been found to be a very important input parameter in the model, but recent work shows that model calibrations were made with data developed using an incorrect reference CTE value to calibrate the test equipment. The article provides critical background information and instructions for ensuring that future tests and analyses are conducted using correct CTE values.